Southwest Airlines pilot Matthew Prebish never imagined that a volunteer flight aimed at rescuing animals displaced by two devastating hurricanes would change his life in an unexpected way.
Tasked with flying 147 animals to safety, Prebish thought he was simply doing his part to help. However, after meeting a small kitten named Avery during the flight, he found himself unexpectedly adopting the furry passenger.
A Flight to Save Lives
In the wake of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, hundreds of animals were left without homes, displaced by the storms’ destruction.
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, in partnership with Greater Good Charities and Southwest Airlines, coordinated an emergency airlift to transport the animals to shelters where they could receive care and potentially find new homes.
Prebish, a pilot with Southwest Airlines for 13 years, volunteered for the mission. His goal was simple: fly the animals from shelters in Tennessee and Florida to a safer location in Milwaukee, where they would be taken in by local animal welfare organizations.
The two-hour flight, filled with 95 cats and 52 dogs, was not Prebish’s first volunteer effort, but it was his first animal rescue mission.
“I knew it would be a fun flight,” Prebish said, noting his excitement about the opportunity to help. However, he never anticipated that the flight would result in him expanding his family.
An Unexpected Friendship: Meeting Avery
When Prebish landed in Milwaukee on October 12, bad weather forced a 45-minute delay, giving him a rare chance to interact with some of his passengers. That’s when he met Avery, a three-month-old kitten who had been rescued from a shelter in East Tennessee.
Initially, Prebish hadn’t considered adopting an animal. “Not once did I actually think about coming home with an animal,” he recalled. His main focus was ensuring the safety and comfort of the animals during the flight.
However, as he spent time with Avery, the thought crossed his mind: Should I take her home? Though Prebish had always considered himself more of a dog person, Avery’s playful personality and calm demeanor captured his heart.
After a few moments of bonding, Avery looked up at him with her wide eyes, and Prebish knew he couldn’t leave her behind.
A New Family Member
The decision to adopt Avery wasn’t made lightly. Prebish called his wife to see if she would be open to bringing a kitten into their home. To his surprise, she enthusiastically agreed. Their six-year-old son, Jett, was thrilled at the idea of a new pet.
“She’s fit in well with the family,” Prebish said, adding that Avery quickly adapted to her new environment. “She is exploring and running around, and she really likes to cuddle.”
Avery joins a household that’s already bustling with animals, including a two-year-old golden retriever named Wrigley, a nine-year-old Labrador retriever named Tahoe, and another cat named Smalls. “We’re outnumbered now, animals to people,” Prebish joked.
The Mission to Save Animals in the Wake of Hurricanes
The emergency flight that brought Avery to Prebish was organized as part of a larger effort to help shelters overwhelmed by the hurricanes. The storms had claimed over 275 lives and caused extensive damage to communities, leaving many animals homeless and in need of care.
Mirah Horowitz, founder and CEO of Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, explained the importance of moving animals out of shelters in disaster zones. “After a storm, there are so many animals in need, and shelters are often overcapacity,” she said. “By transporting these animals to safety, we free up space and resources for more displaced animals.”
The partnership between Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, Greater Good Charities, and Southwest Airlines made this lifesaving mission possible.
Horowitz’s team identified which shelters in Tennessee and Florida needed the most support and coordinated transportation to Lucky Dog’s Rescue Campus in South Carolina. There, the animals received health checks and vaccines before being flown to Milwaukee.
“It’s incredible to see the difference these flights make,” Horowitz said. “This was our third animal rescue flight with Southwest Airlines, and each time, we’ve been able to make a huge impact.”
The Growing Need for Animal Rescue
Animal rescue organizations like Lucky Dog face increasing challenges in the aftermath of natural disasters. The devastation caused by hurricanes and other extreme weather events leads to a surge in displaced animals, many of whom require urgent care and shelter.
In addition to providing emergency transport, Lucky Dog facilitates around 3,000 adoptions annually. Horowitz emphasized the importance of community support during times of crisis.
“Volunteers, foster families, adopters, and donors all play a crucial role in helping us continue our work,” she said. “There are so many animals that need our help, especially after disasters.”
A Special Bond: Avery’s Adoption
For Prebish, Avery’s adoption was an unexpected but welcome addition to his life. He approached Horowitz during the flight to ask if he could adopt Avery, and she was touched by the connection they had formed.
“To see this little kitten form such a strong bond with Matthew, it was really special,” Horowitz said. “It was meant to be.”
Prebish’s experience is not unique. Washington Post columnist Petula Dvorak had a similar encounter during an animal rescue flight after Hurricane Maria. Dvorak ended up adopting a terrier mix named Chica, who had been found on an abandoned coffee farm.
“I couldn’t resist the urge to adopt her,” Dvorak wrote in a column, recounting her decision.
How You Can Help Animals in Need
In the aftermath of natural disasters, animal rescue groups are always in need of help. Whether it’s through volunteering, fostering, adopting, or donating, every bit of support goes a long way in ensuring the safety and well-being of displaced animals.
“There are so many animals that need our help,” Horowitz said. “And we’re grateful to everyone who steps up to make a difference.”
Prebish hopes his story will inspire others to consider adopting animals impacted by hurricanes and other disasters. “I think we have to do whatever we can, whether it be for people or animals,” he said. “Every little bit helps.”
